Her screams are muffled by the tongue dancing around inside her mouth. He thrusts harder and faster as her legs tighten around his hips. Both their bodies glisten with her sweat. They are lost in the passion of the flesh. His sensitive hearing picks up her rapid heartbeat as they move closer to climax. He pulls away from her lips to look deep into her eyes. She bites her lip as she stares into his mahogany orbs. A sudden cry pierces the air, and both their bodies freeze. The cry grows and Buffy glances at the bedside clock.

Buffy: 5:30?

Angel extricates himself from her embrace and quickly slips on his boxers.

Buffy: It is morning?

Angel lifts the crying infant from his crib and turns to her smiling.

Buffy: All night?

Angel: I guess we lost track of time.

He pops a bottle in the microwave and bounces the baby in his arms. He turns back to see her climbing out of the bed.

Angel: You stay there and sleep. I got him.

Buffy: But you had no sleep either.

Angel: You sleep now and I will sleep later.

Buffy: You sure.

Angel: Positive.

Buffy: But Dawn…..

Angel: I will make sure she gets up.

Buffy: Really?

Angel: Yes, now get back in the bed.

She quickly climbs back in and snuggles under the covers.

Buffy: Love ya.

Angel: Love you too, baby.

He sits in the rocker and feeds the hungry child as he watches her succumb to her exhaustion. A tender smile plays upon his lips as he looks from mother to son. For the first time in 275 years he feels whole. His warm brown eyes look into the bright eyes of his child. He is once again overcome with amazement at his mere existence.

When the baby has drank the entire bottle and been burped, his father lays him on the bed and quietly changes him. He slips on his own robe. As he picks him back up, he glances at the glowing number of the clock.

Angel: Let’s go make sure Aunt Dawn is up.

He walks into the hall and runs into Willow exiting her room.

Willow: Oh hi.

Angel: You leaving early?

Willow: Meeting a study group.

Angel: And Dawn?

Willow: Xander said he would take her.

Angel: That’s good.

Willow: If Buffy is trying to sleep you can take Conner in my room. It is in the 30 feet range.

Angel: Thanks. I can go downstairs if I stay in the part under our room. It is just the getting to and down the stairs that is painful.

Willow: Conner will need his own room soon so I will start looking for another place.

Angel: No, don’t. We want you here. Plus we might have a plan.

Willow: Really?

Angel: We can talk about it later tonight.

Willow: Sure. Gotta go.

Angel: Bye Willow.

She takes off down the stairs and Angel turns and softly knocks on the bedroom door. Dawn opens it and looks at him and reaches for Conner‘s hand.

Dawn: Hey.

Angel: Just making sure you are up.

Dawn: Like I really could sleep.

Angel: Something wrong?

He follows her into the rooms and sits on the edge of the bed while she irons.

Dawn: Angel, my sister is not known for being a quiet one and for a normally laconic man you are quit verbal at times.

Angel looks down at Conner.

Dawn: Not that I mind. I am glad you two are happy but all night is a bit much. And well the walls in this house are a bit thin.

Angel: I’m sorry.

Dawn: Don’t be. I can just invest in a good set of ear plugs.

She lays her blouse on the bed and begins on her skirt.

Angel: There is another solution.

Dawn: There is no way you two are going to give it up.

Angel gives a slight laugh.

Angel: No, I was thinking more on a bigger place.

Dawn: You mean move? Like to LA?

Angel: No, no. Not LA. Here in Sunnydale.

Dawn: Oh.

Angel: Buffy told me how much you love this house and I know it has a lot of good memories.

Dawn: I guess.

They both turn as they hear a knock a the door.

Xander: I am going to jump in the shower if no one cares.

Dawn: Go ahead.

Xander walks back out.

Angel: I better let you get ready for school.

Dawn: Wait.

Angel stops and turns back toward her.

Dawn: How can we afford a bigger place? We can hardly afford this one.

Angel: We are talking about moving to my mansion. It’s already paid for. I just need to do some renovations.

Dawn: Mansion? Like in a real mansion?

Angel: Yes. It needs work.

Dawn: This is the one you use to live in, right?

Angel: Yes, on Crawford Street.

Dawn: I heard Buffy talk about but well I never saw it. Is it big?

Angel: I guess.

Dawn: Can I like see it?

Angel: Of course.

Dawn: A real mansion. We could live in a real mansion.

Angel: Don’t get too excited until you see it.

Dawn: Oh, okay.

Angel: You need to get ready.

He walks out closing the door behind him and enters Willow’s room and sits on the bed with Conner.

Angel: What do you think, son? Do you want to live in an old run down mansion?

Later

Buffy sits in Angel’s worn leather chair holding Conner and playing with a stuffed doggy. She glances over at Angel’s silent body spanning the length of the sofa. She smiles and turns her attention back to the baby. Angel and Conner have somehow managed to fill all the gaps that a few months ago scattered her existence. She is complete. She smiles down at the drooling baby and hears a knock at the front door.

Hoping that Angel remains undisturbed she moves quickly to the door. She opens it and looks at the blue-eyed woman peering down at her.

Buffy: Can I help you?

The blue eyes move from mother to child and back to the mother.

Kate: I was looking for Angel. His office said I could find him here.

Buffy turns to see Angel moving to a sitting position on the couch and then back to Kate.

Kate: Is he here?

Buffy nods and motions for her to enter. They step into the living room.

Angel: Kate? Is something wrong?

Kate: You tell me? I get a call from you that someone has kidnapped your son and then I hear a report one of your co-workers had his throat slashed. Should I go on?

Angel: Well as you can see my son was rescued and as for Wes he is no longer with Angel Investigations.

Kate glances at Buffy and Conner.

Kate: You look familiar.

Buffy: I’m nobody.

She smiles.

Buffy: Well, that is what Angel said the night you tried to arrest him.

Kate: Wait you’re the little blonde spitfire that was there the night we took Faith into custody.

Angel: Yes, she is my little spitfire alright.

Kate looks back at Angel.

Angel: Kate, this is Buffy.

Buffy holds out her free hand and Kate slowly shakes it.

Angel: Why don’t you sit down and we will try and answer your questions.

Buffy drops back into Angel’s chair and focuses her attention on the baby. Her green eyes flash as she watches the attractive blonde sit at the other end of the sofa occupied by her husband.

Kate: So you have a son.

Angel nods.

Kate: I thought from what I read that that was impossible.

Angel: It is suppose to be but miracles do happen.

Kate slowly nods.

Kate: Is he….?

Angel: Human? One hundred percent.

The front door opens.

Dawn: Hey whose car is out front?

She stops and looks at Kate.

Buffy: Dawn, we have company.

Dawn: I see that.

Angel: Kate this is Dawn.

Kate: Hi.

Dawn: Hello. So Angel, when you going to show me the castle?

Buffy: Huh.

Angel: After dinner. And it is not a castle.

Dawn: Okay mansion then. So when is dinner?

Buffy: Xander is picking it up.

Dawn: Cool. Pizza?

Buffy: Chinese.

Dawn: Almost as cool.

Buffy: Glad you approve.

She looks at Angel and Kate quietly watching and stands up. She hands him the baby.

Buffy: I‘m thirsty. Kate, can I get you a coke or ice tea or juice?

Kate: Tea sounds good.

Buffy: Come on Dawnie. You can help me.

They walk into the kitchen.

Dawn: You are going to leave him in there with her?

Buffy: What is she going to do?

Buffy pours four glasses of tea.

Dawn: I don’t know. But I saw the way she looked at him.

Buffy: And how is that?

Dawn: Like she would love to get him alone in a dark corner somewhere.

Buffy glances out to the living room and frowns.

Dawn: You saw it too, didn’t you?

Buffy: Yes.

Dawn: So you left them alone?

Buffy: Cause I trust him. Besides he can’t leave me.

She smirks as she sees Angel look at her.

Buffy: Damn vamp hearing.

He smiles broadly. She sets the empty pitcher in the sink and they pick up the glasses and walk back to the living room. Dawn hands a glass to Kate and Buffy hands one to Angel. Kate watches surprised as Angel takes a sip.

Buffy: He likes the sugar and caffeine rush.

Dawn: Then he will love it when I make the tea.

Buffy: You don’t make tea. You make tea flavored syrup.

Angel: I need all the help I can get to keep up with you and Conner.

Buffy: Your vamp stamina is enough.

The back door opens and everyone turns to look. Xander holds up a large bag.

Dawn: Food!

She rushes to the kitchen.

Buffy: Kate, why don’t you join us for dinner?

Kate: No, that’s okay.

Angel: If I know this crew there is plenty. Plus I would like to hear more about what is going on in LA.

Kate looks at Buffy who nods.

Kate: Okay, thank you.

They head into the dining room where Xander and Dawn are setting out the food and dishes.

Buffy: One more plate for Kate, Dawn.

Dawn: Already got it.

As the others sit down, Buffy moves into the kitchen. Angel sits playing with Connor as the others pile their plates.

Xander: Angel, I took a couple of the guys by your place today and they will work up estimates for you.

Angel: Good.

Buffy enters and hands Angel a baby bottle and sets a large dark blue glass in front of him. He looks up at her and shakes his head.

Buffy: You can not live on tea alone. Now eat. Everyone eat.

She fixes her plate and sits down. She glances at Angel and raises her eyebrow in reprimand. Xander and Dawn look down at their plates avoiding the private argument. Angel glances at her face and shifts Conner before picking up his glass and taking a small sip before setting it down. Buffy takes a bite and then looks back at him and smiles. He shakes his head in defeat. Kate watches this small exchange curiously.

Dawn: Hey Angel.

Angel: Hmm.

Dawn: I was talking to my teacher about my paper. I told her I was getting most my information from a real history expert instead of books. She was concerned at first until she read my notes. Now she wants to meet you.

Buffy: Dawn, I am not sure that is such a good idea.

Dawn: I told her he was very busy but she still wants to meet him whenever he can.

They all turn their heads as front door opens. Willow walks in and looks at the group.

Willow: You don’t even bothering waiting for me anymore?

Buffy: Sorry, Will. We had no idea if you were staying late at the library or not.

Willow: I know.

As she fills her plate, Buffy introduces her to Kate. She sits down on the remaining chair. They all sit quietly eating and try to ignore the battle of wills between the lovers. Buffy consumes a fork full of food only after Angel swallows his. The disconcerting quiet is too much for Xander

Xander: So Will, how is the school thing going?

Willow: Fine.

Silence again descends upon the room until Angel begins asking Kate about LA. Their conversation fills the void within the room. As they finish, Dawn and Xander jump up to clear and clean the mess.

Buffy: Willow, we are heading over to the mansion. Do you want to come?

Willow: The mansion? Why?

Buffy: We are considering moving in.

Willow: So that is what Angel meant by more room.

Buffy: So you want to go?

Willow: Sure.

They quickly gather their belongings and head for the door.

Kate: Well thank you for the meal, but I better head back to LA.

Angel: Call me if you need me.

Kate: I don’t think I will.

Angel: But if you do.

Kate: I know where to find you now.

They all step out onto the porch. Buffy suddenly turns and shoves Conner into Dawn’s arms.

Buffy: Inside, now.

Dawn and Willow dash back in the still open door. Buffy and Angel move quickly down the stairs. Xander steps to the edge and Kate watches as Willow steps out and hands him one of three crossbows.

Willow: You know how to use this?

Kate: I think I can handle it.

Willow: Just don’t hit Buffy or Angel.

Kate watches as a cadre of vampires converge on the front lawn.

Buffy: Hmmm. I like this. Saving me some legwork.

Angel: You have been over doing the exercise lately.

Suddenly a vampire explodes into dust from Xander crossbow. The others converge on the couple. Two turn toward the porch and Kate lets a bolt fly. The vampire erupts into dust as his buddy dives onto the porch. Willow raise her knee into his chest and as he leans over. Xander shoves him down and rams a stake through his back. Willow takes aim and sends bolt into the fray surrounding Buffy and Angel. The arrow embeds in his back missing the heart. Buffy flips over his head and rams it in.

Kate stands rooted to the porch watching the duo move as if in a choreographed dance. Xander dust one more vamp. Kate and Willow attempt but both miss their targets. Soon Buffy and Angel stand amongst a field of dust as the few remaining attackers flee.

Buffy: Everyone okay?

Willow: We’re fine.

Kate: Uh what was that?

Angel: Vampires.

Kate: I got that. Do they attack often?

Buffy: No, usually I have to go looking for them. Will, can you tell Dawn we are ready to go?

Willow: Sure.

She gathers the crossbows and heads in the house.

Buffy opens the car and leans in to clear off the seat. Kate watches as Angel leers at her backside and her bare legs.

Kate: Looks like you made a connection.

Angel: More like a reconnection.

Kate: Oh.

Angel: Buffy and I have quite a history.

Kate: You really love her.

Angel: I do.

Kate: Did you teach her to fight like that?

Angel: No. She actually taught me a lot.

Kate: But, well, I well did not think she was a vampire. She opened the door in the sunlight.

Angel: She isn’t. In your research, did you learn about the slayer?

Kate: The Vampire Slayer?

Angel nods.

Kate: She is the slayer?

Buffy: That would be me.

Kate: I just thought….

Buffy: I would be bigger?

Kate: Actually yes.

Angel: Size doesn’t matter. She is stronger and faster than any demon.

Kate: Any?

Angel: Yes, even me.

Kate: Oh.

Everyone turns to see the small blue car pull up to the curb.

Buffy: Who is…….?

She squeals as the man emerges from the auto and runs to him.

Kate: I guess that is her father

Angel smiles.

Angel: Practically. He is her watcher.

Kate: Watcher?

Angel: The one responsible for finding and training the slayer. Her mentor.

Kate: Oh.

They watch as the two stand hugging. Buffy and Giles walk up. Angel holds out his hand and Giles shakes it.

Angel: Giles.

Giles: Angel.

Angel: This Kate.

Giles: Hello my dear.

Kate: Hello. Angel I need to be going.

Angel: Call me it you need me.

Kate: I will.

She climbs into her car and drives off. Buffy sighs and Angel glances at her. He wraps his arm around her waist as Giles watches.

Buffy: So you going to tell me why you are here. Please don’t tell me it is some apocalypse.

Giles: No, I just felt I needed to check on things.

Buffy: You came about Connor?

Giles: Not entirely.

They all turn as Dawn walks out toward the car followed by Willow and Xander. Buffy reaches out and takes him in her arms.

Buffy: Giles, I want you to meet our son, Connor.

Giles blinks and stares at her.

Giles: Our?

Buffy: Yes. Angel and I are his parents. Only parents he will know.

Giles: I see.

Dawn and Willow give Giles hugs and Xander shakes his hand.

Dawn: Are we still going?

Buffy glances at Giles.

Giles: Don’t change your plans because of me.

Buffy: We are just going over to Angel’s mansion. We are thinking of moving.

Giles: To the mansion? You still own it?

Angel: Never saw a reason to sell. Besides who else would want it.

Giles: Guess not.

Buffy: If you don’t feel like going, I’ll stay. I have kinda seen it.

Angel: Buffy.

Giles: No that is alright. I’ll be glad to come along.

Dawn: Great, so lets get moving.

Buffy climbs in the backseat and places Connor in the car seat.

The mansion.

Angel unlocks the front door and pushes it open. Buffy steps in and automatically reaches for the familiar light switch. As the front hall is bathed in the warm glow, Dawn steps forward and stares. She looks up and turns slowly.

Dawn: Whoa!

Everyone steps into the main room and Angel and Buffy begin turning on the lights. Willow stands quietly watching holding Connor.

Dawn: This is amazing. It’s huge. We have our own gym practically.

Angel: Actually, I am going to turn the ballroom into the gym.

Dawn stops and stares.

Dawn: There is a ballroom?

Buffy: Good question. I never saw a ballroom.

Angel: It is on the other side of the dining room.

Buddy: Oh, I never went through there.

Angel: So do you want to hear my ideas?

Buffy: Of course.

He leads them through a doorway beside the large fireplace. The walls are covered in shelves.

Angel: This is the library.

Willow: Research central.

Angel: My thoughts exactly. I was thinking a big table in the middle and a couple of computers and of course the books.

Giles: I think I can help get you started.

Angel: Thanks.

He opens a door between two book cases.

Angel: And this is my office.

He notices Buffy’s raised eyebrow.

Angel: I mean our office.

She smiles.

Dawn: Okay, I see all the business portions of this place. What about the rest?

Angel: Well you saw the main room and there is a smaller den through the door on the other side of the fireplace. It needs a lot of work but I hope we can fix it up so you have a place to watch TV and have friends over.

Dawn: Really?

Buffy: Yes. Now I want to see the upstairs. .

Angel turns and leads them out and up the staircase.

Angel: The room at the end of the hall is ours and you ladies can pick any of the others on the floor.

Dawn: How many is there?

Angel: Besides the Master bedroom, I think there is five.

Xander: Six. I counted them today.

Dawn: Oh.

She reaches out and opens the nearest door. As everyone walks in, Buffy grabs Angel’s hand and leads him to their room. She flips on the light and closes the door.

Angel: What are you up to?

Buffy: Just want to check out the room.

She opens a door and looks into the large closet. The next door reveals the familiar bathroom.

Buffy: I always loved this room.

Angel: You did? Why?

Buffy: The tub. I always wanted to fill it full of bubbles and lose my self.

Angel: You never said anything.

Buffy: It was to dangerous. Besides, right after I got comfortable enough here to hint at staying more you dumped me.

She opens the next door the reveal another closet.

Buffy: Two?

Angel: His and Hers.

Buffy: Oh, well with the clothes horse you are, we may need it.

Angel: Me?

She smiles as she closes the closet and looks around.

Buffy: Plenty of room for Connor’s stuff too.

Angel: Not necessary.

He walks to a large carved panel on the other wall and flips a catch. The panel swings in and he reaches in and turns on the light. Buffy walks in and looks around. She glances out the one small portal style window and then runs her hand over the faded yellow striped wallpaper.

Buffy: Nursery?

Angel: Yes. And built for security.

Buffy: I see.

She walks over and gently kisses him.

Buffy: So do we sell or rent the house?

Angel: You want to move?

Buffy: I think we need to.

Angel: Me too.

Buffy: So, rent or sell.

Angel: That is up to you and Dawn, but if you can not rent for enough to cover the mortgage, taxes, and insurance, I say sell.

Buffy: Me too.

She takes his hand and leads him toward the bed in the corner. He pulls back.

Buffy: What’s wrong? No one will bother us.

Angel: Not here, not now.

She lies on her back on the bed and bends her knees allowing her skirt to ride up around her waist.

Buffy: Come on.

Angel: No. I want the first time in here to be perfect.

Buffy: Whenever we are together it is perfect.

He shakes his head as he watches her stroke her fingers over the small patch of fabric covering her delectable flesh.

Angel: Buffy, stop.

Buffy: Nu uh. Come here.

Angel: No.

Buffy: Wonder how wet………….

He moves forward and grabs her hand and pulls her off the bed.

Buffy: What the?

Angel: Lets go find the others.

He pulls her to the door and into the hall. They move toward the voices and look into one of the rooms.

Angel: Well any questions?

Dawn: I love it.

Angel: I’m glad. Have you seen all the rooms?

Dawn: No this is just the third one.

Angel: Well be sure and decide which ones you want so we can get them cleaned and painted.

Dawn: Painted? Any color?

Angel looks at Buffy.

Buffy: I guess. You are not thinking black are you?

Dawn: No, more like purple. A dark purple.

Buffy: Dark purple? I guess if that is what you really want.

Dawn: Cool.

The group moves into the hall and the next room. Buffy moves to follow but Angel pulls her back toward him. He leads her to a wide door near the stairs. He pulls out his keys and unlocks it and flips on the light. She gazes up the long stairway and begins to slowly ascend. He closes the door and follows her. At the top she stops and looks around the cluttered attic.

Buffy: Look at all this stuff. Where did it all come from?

Angel: Some was already here but the rest I moved up here from the rooms when I moved in. Did not want the minions to think they had a place to stay.

Buffy: Oh.

She moves around looking. He stands back watching her explore the space.

Buffy: Oh look, a cheval mirror.

She leans over a trunk to get a better look. She never sees or feels him move behind her until she feels the cool breeze as her skirt moves up around her waist. Before she can react to the him, his fingers move aside the fabric of her panties. She looks over her shoulder as she feels the smooth coolness of his cock pressed against her hot core. A groan erupts from both their throats as in one thrust he sinks into her molten channel. Her hands press against the top of the trunk as he rocks in and out. She bucks against him easily matching his rhythm. As she feels the sensations boiling, she shoves a fist into her mouth to muffle her screams. As her muscles quiver and pulse in climax around his hard shaft, he growls and releases deep inside. He collapses against her back and they both struggle not to fall amongst the dust and junk.

Buffy: (panting) Okay.